Yesterday was day 3 and wasn't as sunny as 1 or 2, but still decent.

Breakfast in Cruize, followed by a walk up Catacol Glen to the lovely Loch Tanna, which was 8 miles in total.  It was a slog, but I still found it to be highly enjoyable, with crystal clear waters in the river and lots of interesting wildlife such as bright red and white spotted mushrooms that wouldn't look out of place in Super Mario.  This is where they get the water for the Isle of Arran Distillery, and I'd been meaning to do this walk for years as I scattered my dad's ashes at the start of the walk.

On the way back, I stopped off at the 'sailors grave' which is halfway between Catacol and Lochranza.  In 1854, a man by the name of John McLean died on board a ship anchored in the bay of Lochranza.  The crew wanted to bury him in Lochranza, but the locals were worried he may bring infection, so didn't allow his body to be buried in the churchyard.  The Catacol residents said the same, so he ended up being buried halfway between both villages and the grave remains.  It's tradition to lay a pebble on the grave as a mark of respect.

Back to the hotel for a nice bath then tea at the Brodick Pier chippie.

Quote from: LionMo on September 22, 2020, 11:47:46 am

Quote from: Hardliner on September 22, 2020, 07:48:13 am

Yesterday was day 3 and wasn't as sunny as 1 or 2, but still decent.

Breakfast in Cruize, followed by a walk up Catacol Glen to the lovely Loch Tanna, which was 8 miles in total.  It was a slog, but I still found it to be highly enjoyable, with crystal clear waters in the river and lots of interesting wildlife such as bright red and white spotted mushrooms that wouldn't look out of place in Super Mario.  This is where they get the water for the Isle of Arran Distillery, and I'd been meaning to do this walk for years as I scattered my dad's ashes at the start of the walk.

On the way back, I stopped off at the 'sailors grave' which is halfway between Catacol and Lochranza.  In 1854, a man by the name of John McLean died on board a ship anchored in the bay of Lochranza.  The crew wanted to bury him in Lochranza, but the locals were worried he may bring infection, so didn't allow his body to be buried in the churchyard.  The Catacol residents said the same, so he ended up being buried halfway between both villages and the grave remains.  It's tradition to lay a pebble on the grave as a mark of respect.

Back to the hotel for a nice bath then tea at the Brodick Pier chippie.

Superb mate. Have never been but since you say it is 🇬🇧 and are loving it I will make an effort to get there at some point

It's class mate, you'd love and you'd fit in like a glove.  There's a huge Unionist majority.  Spotted another massive Union Flag in a front garden in Lochranza yesterday.

Excellent. I’m not really a whisky drinker but I still somehow find it interesting. That single malt especially will be a good collector’s item.

Yesterday was day 5 and we were meant to be going a relative's house in Sannox however it was cancelled because of the new COVID restrictions.  This didn't spoil the day though.. in fact it ended up being my best day yet.

After breakfast I hopped into the car and headed to just south of Blackwaterfoot, where I parked the car and made the 15 minute walk along the shore to the Kilpatrick Preaching Cave.  This cave provided a meeting place for those that objected to the practice of a minister being appointed by the local landowner, also known as The Disruption of 1843 - and thus formed a Free Church congregation based in the cave.  This was deep, meaningful and personal for me.  I believe the cave also functioned as a school at one point.






On the way back, I stopped at the Old Clachan Church just outside Shiskine, which is an ancient church restored in recent years.  The glen in which it is situated is undoubtedly the cradle of Christian worship on Arran, having been used since the 6th century, and before then was used for Druidic worship too.  There is also a locally believed, but unsubstantiated claim that St Molaise, who was a hermit on the Holy Isle, was buried in the glen.  The adjacent graveyard was interesting to look around and I saw a lot of familiar surnames on the gravestones.  Some of Hardliner's ancestors are definitely in there, it made me want to start researching my family history.




Back to collect the wife and son where we had a lovely meal in the Drift Inn beer garden in Lamlash, looking onto the Holy Isle, which my late father used to amusingly call 'the home of the workshy' (it is owned by Buddhists).



Then back to the hotel to play a board game over a dram.

Quote from: LionMo on September 24, 2020, 11:32:33 am

Quote from: Hardliner on September 24, 2020, 08:49:34 am

Yesterday was day 5 and we were meant to be going a relative's house in Sannox however it was cancelled because of the new COVID restrictions.  This didn't spoil the day though.. in fact it ended up being my best day yet.

After breakfast I hopped into the car and headed to just south of Blackwaterfoot, where I parked the car and made the 15 minute walk along the shore to the Kilpatrick Preaching Cave.  This cave provided a meeting place for those that objected to the practice of a minister being appointed by the local landowner, also known as The Disruption of 1843 - and thus formed a Free Church congregation based in the cave.  This was deep, meaningful and personal for me.  I believe the cave also functioned as a school at one point.






On the way back, I stopped at the Old Clachan Church just outside Shiskine, which is an ancient church restored in recent years.  The glen in which it is situated is undoubtedly the cradle of Christian worship on Arran, having been used since the 6th century, and before then was used for Druidic worship too.  There is also a locally believed, but unsubstantiated claim that St Molaise, who was a hermit on the Holy Isle, was buried in the glen.  The adjacent graveyard was interesting to look around and I saw a lot of familiar surnames on the gravestones.  Some of Hardliner's ancestors are definitely in there, it made me want to start researching my family history.




Back to collect the wife and son where we had a lovely meal in the Drift Inn beer garden in Lamlash, looking onto the Holy Isle, which my late father used to amusingly call 'the home of the workshy' (it is owned by Buddhists).



Then back to the hotel to play a board game over a dram.

Amazing 🙂 When does the holiday end ?

Cheers mate.

I head home tomorrow unfortunately.  It's been great fun.

Quote from: LionMo on September 24, 2020, 11:42:09 am

Quote from: Hardliner on September 24, 2020, 11:36:45 am

Quote from: LionMo on September 24, 2020, 11:32:33 am

Quote from: Hardliner on September 24, 2020, 08:49:34 am

Yesterday was day 5 and we were meant to be going a relative's house in Sannox however it was cancelled because of the new COVID restrictions.  This didn't spoil the day though.. in fact it ended up being my best day yet.

After breakfast I hopped into the car and headed to just south of Blackwaterfoot, where I parked the car and made the 15 minute walk along the shore to the Kilpatrick Preaching Cave.  This cave provided a meeting place for those that objected to the practice of a minister being appointed by the local landowner, also known as The Disruption of 1843 - and thus formed a Free Church congregation based in the cave.  This was deep, meaningful and personal for me.  I believe the cave also functioned as a school at one point.






On the way back, I stopped at the Old Clachan Church just outside Shiskine, which is an ancient church restored in recent years.  The glen in which it is situated is undoubtedly the cradle of Christian worship on Arran, having been used since the 6th century, and before then was used for Druidic worship too.  There is also a locally believed, but unsubstantiated claim that St Molaise, who was a hermit on the Holy Isle, was buried in the glen.  The adjacent graveyard was interesting to look around and I saw a lot of familiar surnames on the gravestones.  Some of Hardliner's ancestors are definitely in there, it made me want to start researching my family history.




Back to collect the wife and son where we had a lovely meal in the Drift Inn beer garden in Lamlash, looking onto the Holy Isle, which my late father used to amusingly call 'the home of the workshy' (it is owned by Buddhists).



Then back to the hotel to play a board game over a dram.

Amazing 🙂 When does the holiday end ?

Cheers mate.

I head home tomorrow unfortunately.  It's been great fun.

Ah well, all good things come to an end.
I have enjoyed your daily updates 🙂

Cheers!

Tomorrow morning's update will be my last.  Do you have any trips on the horizon?